The world is a vast, beautiful place. For those out there struggling with existentialism issues (I completely get it, by the way), you don’t need to go that far and say that we’re tiny and insignificant in the infinity of the universe. We’re just as small and puny in our own world, too! But fear not, this article is actually supposed to induce a positive tone. Since Earth is so big, this also means that are are many corners of the world that have yet to be visited and explored. And I’m not talking about taking a trip into the unknown abyss that is the core of the Earth, but about booking a ticket to an Asian country and visiting one of the 15 Most Beautiful Temples In Asia.

1. Paro Taktsang Monastery

Location: BhutanFounded in: 8th century

Despite technically being founded as a meditation temple in the 8th century, its first monastery annex was built in the 17th century, near the cave where it’s said that Guru Padmasambhava meditated for three years, three months, three weeks and three days.

2. Kinkaku-ji

Location: JapanFounded in: 14th century

The literal translation of the name means “Temple of the Golden Pavilion,” something sustained by its design. The temple is located in Kyoto, known to be an oasis for the most important halidoms in the Nippon area.

3. Borobudur Temple

Location: IndonesiaFounded in: 8th – 9th century

More than being one of the most beautiful temples in Asia, Borobudur is also one of the oldest and the largest temple in the world, with its central dome containing 72 Buddha statues with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues around the premises.

4. Sri Sivan Temple

Location: SingaporeFounded in: 19th century

Initially present in Potong Pasir, the temple, which is a place of daily prayers towards Shiva, now resides in Geylang. Although it’s one of the more newly built temples, it’s equally stunning and extravagant.

5. Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Location: IndiaFounded in: 16th century

This temple is as glamorous as the kings that built it. Not only is it one of the most beautiful temples in Asia, it also holds an official Guinness Book Record for being the richest temple in the world, going by the quantity and quality of the gold and precious stones decorating it.

6. Virupaksha Temple

Location: BangaloreFounded in: 7th century

When the temple was built all the way in the 7th century, it was initially a small construction that was meant to venerate the god Shiva, known there as Virupaksha, consort of local goddess Pampa. Over the centuries, though, it grew in proportions and turned into the spectacular building we see today.

7. Sanctuary of Truth

Location: ThailandFounded in: 20th century

For a temple, the Sanctuary of Truth definitely comes off as a bit… threatening. This is probably what the Iron Throne would look like, in an alternate universe where it’s actually a Buddhist and Hindu temple. It’s one of the newest constructions on our list, since it’s still under construction, with a due date in 2050.

8. Yonghe Temple

Location: ChinaFounded in: 17th century

The temple, more popularly known as the Lama Temple, has traversed quite a few moments since the beginning of its construction during the Qing Dinasty. Initially meant to host eunuchs serving the emperor, it then became the court of Yin Zhen, son of Kangxi Emperor, and it eventually was opened for public display, as a temple.

9. Sri Senpaga Vinayagar

Location: SingaporeFounded in: 19th century

The temple was built around 1850, initially taking on a modest shape. It gets its name from the Lord Vinayagar, whose statue was discovered near the shore the temple was eventually constructed on. These days, it’s a luxurious shrine dedicated to Hindu god Ganesha, and one of the most beautiful temples in Asia.

10. Angkor Wat

Location: CambodiaFounded in: 12th century

Angkor Wat was initially built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, having been converted towards the end of the 12th century into a Buddhist temple. In our days, it holds the title of the largest religious monument in the world, measuring 162.6 hectares.

11. Temple of Bacchus

Location: LebanonFounded in: 2nd century

If you’re thinking that the architecture of this temple doesn’t exactly reek of Asian culture, then that’s because it was built by the Romans as a tribute to the wine god, Bacchus. It’s one of the best preserved Roman construction today, being considered a World Heritage site.

12. Lotus Temple

Location: IndiaFounded in: 20th century

Another contemporary sacred construction, the Lotus Temple takes its name from the shape that manages to give it a modern air. It’s one of the most profitable attractions in New Delhi, having earned since its opening numerous architectural awards and over 70 million visitors from all around the world.

13. Wat Rong Khun

Location: ThailandFounded in: 20th century

Take one look at the picture and you’ll be able to see why Wat Rong Khun is more commonly known worldwide as The White Temple. However, this isn’t how it’s always looked. The original temple was near collapsing near the end of the 20th century, when a private investor decided to fund its renovations. Today, it’s displayed to the world as both a Buddhist temple and a host for various art exhibitions.

14. Shwedagon Pagoda

Location: MyanmarFounded in: 6th century

At 325 feet tall, the “Great Dagon Pagoda” as it’s literally translated to, is as mighty as it is glamorous. It was built by the Mon people, on a foundation of bricks coated in gold plates, and it was furnished by thousands of diamonds and rubies all over its exterior.

15. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Location: IndonesiaFounded in: 17th century

For a construction with such a complex name, it’s probably one of the more modest looking entries on our list. This water temple stands on a patch of land, surrounded Lake Bratan, in Bali. It was built in order to honor the river and lake goddess Dewi Danu.

Now, I don’t know about you, but my appetite for traveling has grown immensely upon (virtually) visiting these incredible places. Nature is certainly amazing, but some of the things can are crafted from the hands of a human are just as mind blowing, just like the 15 Most Beautiful Temples In Asia.

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Shanghai-based artist Hong Yi is certainly not the most conventional of artists; while most virtuosos in the world of art construct their creations with paint or pencil or metal or marble, Yi (who prefers to be called “Red”) uses any everyday object she can get her talented little hands on, and does wonders with them. In the past, Red has assembled portraits of Taiwanese actor-singer Jay Chou out of coffee stains, of Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber using Korean chilli paste, and of Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, painted not with a paintbrush but – rather appropriately – with a basketball.

Her latest project is no less peculiar: it is a portrait of famed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou (director of martial arts action flicks “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers”), made entirely out of bamboo sticks, pins and 750 pairs of socks. Why socks? “When I first moved to Shanghai, I stumbled upon an old residential alleyway and saw bamboo sticks poking out of windows with laundry hanging onto them, waving in the air,” explains Red. “I thought that was an incredibly beautiful sight. And the amazing thing is seeing something so traditional in a modern, bustling city like Shanghai.” [Read more…]